Lions’ mistakes their undoing again in loss to Cardinals

Posted by Michael David Smith on September 15, 2013, 7:19 PM EDT

AP

Once again, mistakes are a major problem for the Detroit Lions.

The Lions had eight penalties for 101 yards, missed all their field goal attempts, lost a fumble deep in their own territory and generally shot themselves in the foot repeatedly in a 25-21 loss to the Cardinals.

The final mistake came on their final offensive play, when Lions receiver Nate Burleson ran too short a route on fourth-and-four and was tackled by Arizona’s Tyrann Mathieu a yard short of a first down. That killed their last-gasp drive after Detroit had given up the go-ahead touchdown (on a Cardinals drive aided by a 31-yard pass interference penalty) with 1:59 to play.

Both offenses were operating at less than full strength after Reggie Bush left the game with a knee injury and Larry Fitzgerald left the game with a hamstring injury, but the Cardinals adjusted better to losing a key player, as Carson Palmer spread the ball around to a cast of receivers that even included cornerback Patrick Peterson, who played some offense, caught a pass and even threw a pass for a completion and a first down.

Lions receiver Calvin Johnson had a big game in a losing effort, getting the better of Peterson on his way to a six-catch, 116-yard, two-touchdown day. But Johnson couldn’t do it all himself, and the Lions couldn’t hold on to win despite leading for most of the game.

For the Cardinals, the win is their first victory with Palmer and new coach Bruce Arians, and they have to feel good about the way they played. But the Lions have to feel terrible. As they have far too often in recent years, they got in their own way and turned a game they could have won into a loss.

I don’t believe a word he says in press conferences anymore. I don’t believe a word about accountability. These moron players commit a major penalty and they’re back on the field the next play. This is the 2nd week in a row we had a turnover taken away by a 15yd roughness penalty unrelated to the turnover.

And while I’m complaining, Mayhew drafts horribly. The Cards got contributions from all sorts of deep draft picks. Mayhew might as well just not have a 2nd round pick anymore. They’re all wasted.

I’ve been a Lions fan since I was born (recruited by my dad)… It’s really devastating watching the Lions have so much potential the last few seasons and see that potential wasted by undisciplined players. What does the coaching staff have to do to drill into this sad excuse for an NFL team that penalties are unacceptable. Are they going to have to start sitting players for the following game for completely bonehead penalties? Something has to be done; it’s not fair to the rest of the team, and I suppose the fans as well, to repeatedly ignore the rules every game like they don’t apply to them.

Talent-wise, the Lions are second in the NFC North to the Green Bay Packers. But other teams know that the way to beat the Lions is to wait around for them to do something stupid. Which they always do, 5 or 6 times every game.

lionpride10 says:Sep 15, 2013 7:34 PM

As much talent as any team in the league, but with the coaching staff we have in place we can’t win. Let me just give away our secret, we won’t even send a receiver deeper than 10 yards on any play.

The Colts and Andrew Luck miss Bruce Arians. So do the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger come to think about it.

Also, said it last week while Lion fans were basking in that awesome come from behind win over the Christian Ponder/Bill Musgrave led Vikings, they’re not going anywhere with Jim Schwartz and his undisciplined approach leading this team. Two years ago, they were considered ahead of the 49ers when they had the handshake gate.

Since then, the 49ers have just appeared in a Super Bowl and NFC championship game, while the Lions are still undisciplined and getting in their own way because their team reflects their head coach’s erratic football personality.

rbell2123 says:Sep 15, 2013 7:48 PM

I don’t there is a worse starting tightend in the nfl than B. Pettigrew. Seriously he SUCKS!!!

theboondoggles says:Sep 15, 2013 7:48 PM

Rush for no gain, Bell drops a 5 yard pass with noone around him, Pettigrew drops a 11 yard pass that would’ve kept the drive going. These were plays that they made earlier in the game but couldn’t pull off on the drive that should’ve closed the game out. The Lions just can’t close against moderate competition. This should’ve been over much sooner, but they just kept letting the Cards chip away at their lead. Contenders close games out early and the Lions just can’t do that. They act like “wait we have a 10 point lead? That’s great! Lets make sure to at least beat them by 1.”

Bottom line, the embarrassed themselves again today. No excuses, the Lions were terrible.

staffordsyear says:
Sep 15, 2013 7:24 PM
Oh well, got to get the bugs worked out, good thing we got the redskins next week. 2-1.

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What exactly do you have worked out, oh yea you got Reggie Bush who almost went out this game…..has that guy even played an entire season, ever? Lions look like the Lions, same as always, they need a new head coach to square that locker room away…

This was another classic Lions game with the full typical array of inexcusable mistakes. Schwartz said after the game even if they won they would be talking about the stuff that needed to be improved, yet last week with the same lousy effort and product we weren’t willing to apologize for the win. Fascinating.

joeylongarm says:Sep 15, 2013 8:02 PM

Coming from a life long lions fan – this team, i mean franchise is such a joke. Pettigrew is useless, Willie Young is an idiot and the Lions are losers again.

joeylongarm says:Sep 15, 2013 8:03 PM

2 yard slant to an old receiver on 4th and 4…who does that????

TheWizard says:Sep 15, 2013 8:12 PM

watching the Lions have so much potential the last few seasons and see that potential wasted by undisciplined players

They’re a reflection of their coaching staff. I’m not big advocate of firing coaches usually, but this aint’ working out.

joeylongarm says:Sep 15, 2013 8:12 PM

Thanks Linehan and Schwartz. It’s not every day you get to see a 2 minute drill end with a COMPLETED pass that is short on 4TH & 4!!!!!!!!!

Such losers.

fdugrad says:Sep 15, 2013 8:19 PM

I realize Mr. Ford stays with his employees, however whether it is loyalty or finances of the contract for the HC, it is readily apparent that coach S. is either coaching recklessly regarding the penalties, or is ALLOWING the sloppy play. It has been the distinguishing feature of his tenure as HC. It appears as though beating themselves through rash, impulsive and undisciplined play will only cease when another coaching staff, and perhaps a large upheaval of the current roster occurs.

f1restarter says:
Sep 15, 2013 7:33 PM
Talent-wise, the Lions are second in the NFC North to the Green Bay Packers. But other teams know that the way to beat the Lions is to wait around for them to do something stupid. Which they always do, 5 or 6 times every game.

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The Lions were 4-12 last year, talent doesn’t mean anything when your team chokes every year dude!

I wasn’t impressed by either team. But, both teams have a few truly exceptional fun to watch players. Its interesting to think how Megatron or Fitz would do if Aaron Rodgers, Payton, Brady, or a few others were throwing to them.